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SW8 3NS
United Kingdom
The Library of Barry Humphries (at Forum Auctions)
This is a live online auction with auctioneer. For details on registration, bidding, viewing & condition reports, click “Important information” link.
The auction features a remarkable array of books, manuscripts, works on paper and objets from the extensive library of the legendary comedian, actor, author, and satirist Barry Humphries (1934-2023).
Bidding is available online via your Dreweatts Live account, by telephone or by commission bids through Dreweatts, or in person at Forum Auctions. Please contact Dreweatts to register all commission bids or telephone bids by 12 noon GMT the day before the auction.
Viewing by appointment at Forum Auctions: 4 Ingate Place, London SW8 3NS | www.forumauctions.co.uk. To book an appointment, please email: info@forumauctions.co.uk or call +44 (0) 20 7871 2640.
Auction dates
Mar 26, 2025 01:00 PM GMT
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Featured lots
There are 243 lots within this auction
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![θ [Crowley (Aleister)] The Tale of Archais: A Romance in Verse, first edition [one of 250 copies], …](https://portal-images.azureedge.net/auctions-2025/drewea1-10544/images/6e3e4342-6056-41b9-8960-b299011d5996.jpg?h=175)
121
θ [Crowley (Aleister)] The Tale of Archais: A Romance in Verse, first edition [one of 250 copies] , title printed in red and black, very light browning to endpapers, original cloth-backed boards with paper label to spine, soiling and browning to spines, wear to spine tips and corners, [Yorke 2], small 4to, Kegan Paul, Trench Trubner & Co., 1898. ⁂ Crowley's second book of poems, scarce.
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![θ Crowley (Aleister) The Poem. A Little Drama in Four Scenes, first edition, [one of 10 copies], …](https://portal-images.azureedge.net/auctions-2025/drewea1-10544/images/8a36566f-742a-487f-96af-b299011d8bea.jpg?h=175)
122
Quantity
1
Max bid
GBP
Estimate
1,500 - 2,000 GBP
θ Crowley (Aleister) The Poem. A Little Drama in Four Scenes, first edition, [one of 10 copies], some light marking to fore-margin, original stapled printed wrappers, light browning to spine, some rusting to staples with show-through to covers, some light surface-soiling, an excellent copy, preserved in custom folding chemise and morocco-backed slip-case, [Yorke 5c], 8vo, Privately Printed [at the Chiswick Press], 1898. ⁂ Rare, we can trace only 1 copy at auction in the last 70 years. An advance issue of pp.99-118 of Jephthah and other Mysteries Lyrical and Dramatic.
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![θ Crowley (Aleister) The Mother's Tragedy, first edition, [one of 500 copies], Privately Printed, …](https://portal-images.azureedge.net/auctions-2025/drewea1-10544/images/b3731092-4835-4563-96d0-b299011d6809.jpg?h=175)
123
θ Crowley (Aleister) The Mother's Tragedy, first edition, [one of 500 copies] , very occasional light finger-soiling, some light scattered spotting, light browning and contemporary ink ownership inscription to endpapers, original cloth-backed boards, printed paper label to spine (a little rubbed and browned), spine ends and corners a little bumped, light wear to corners, a little rubbed, preserved in custom morocco-backed drop-backed box, [Yorke 7a], 8vo, Privately Printed, 1901. ⁂ Scarce, though 500 copies were initially printed, sales were poor and a large number of the sheets may have been used for the 1907 edition.
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θ Crowley (Aleister) The God-Eater. A Tragedy of Satire, first edition, [one of 300 copies] , some light creasing to fore-margin, original stitched printed wrappers, minor chipping to spine tips, a fine copy, preserved in folding chemise and morocco-backed slip-case, [Yorke 11], small 4to, Watts & Co. , 1903. ⁂ A superb copy, Yorke states that only one example is known in which the publisher's name is printed without the preceding "Chas." (as here) though this appears to be erroneous.
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125
Quantity
1
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Estimate
2,000 - 3,000 GBP
θ Crowley (Aleister) Ahab and other Poems... With an Introduction and Epilogue by Count Vladimir Svareff, one of 2 copies printed on vellum, from an edition limited to 162 , title printed in red and black, publisher's device on title and final f., silked endpapers, red crushed morocco by Sangorski and Sutcliffe, t.e.g., [Yorke 13], 4to, Privately Printed at the Chiswick Press , 1903. ⁂ A stunning Crowley rarity, one of only two copies printed on vellum and the only copy in private hands . The other copy printed on vellum resides at the Harry Ransom Center, University of Texas.
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![θ Crowley (Aleister) The Star and the Garter, first edition, [one of 50 copies], with 3 editorial …](https://portal-images.azureedge.net/auctions-2025/drewea1-10544/images/f285eda6-e0f7-4ce0-b136-b299011d811f.jpg?h=175)
126
θ Crowley (Aleister) The Star and the Garter, first edition, [one of 50 copies], this copy with editorial corrections in the author's hand to pp. 52, 72 & 78 and pencil inscription head of p. 87 "This is to show you how a king may go a progress through the guts of a beggar" , half-title, some light foxing and finger-soiling, bookseller's label of Galloway & Porter Ltd." to front pastedown, 20th century blue crushed morocco, spine slightly darkened, light discolouration to covers, t.e.g., others uncut, original wrappers bound in, [Yorke 15a], 4to, Watts & Co., 1903.
⁂ The rare true first edition, including the appendix. This copy with minor corrections as well as a typically vivid comment from Crowley.
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![θ Crowley (Aleister) The Argonauts, first edition, [one of 200 copies], Society for the …](https://portal-images.azureedge.net/auctions-2025/drewea1-10544/images/f383a57e-cc1e-462a-aee5-b299011d4754.jpg?h=175)
θ Crowley (Aleister) The Argonauts, first edition, [one of 200 copies] , small patch of spotting to head and title and following leaf, a very clean copy generally, original printed wrappers, minor chipping to spine tips, uncut, a near-fine copy, preserved in folding chemise and morocco-backed slip-case, [Yorke 18], 8vo, Society for the Propagation of Religious Truth , 1904.
⁂ Rare, we can trace only 1 copy at auction in the last 40 years.
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![θ Crowley (Aleister) Why Jesus Wept, first edition, [one of 100 copies on handmade paper], with 3 …](https://portal-images.azureedge.net/auctions-2025/drewea1-10544/images/a77363b8-318b-4946-9c2d-b299011d11f7.jpg?h=175)
128
Quantity
1
Max bid
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Estimate
1,000 - 1,500 GBP
θ Crowley (Aleister) Why Jesus Wept, first edition, [one of 100 copies on handmade paper, from an edition limited to 121 copies] , with 8 pp folded insert "Mr. Crowley and the Creeds" and 2 different prospectuses loosely inserted, "Note to pages 75 and 76" inserted on stub at p. 77, some cracking to gutter with a few leaves working loose, original printed wrappers, very light browning to spine, minor chipping to spine tips, a near-fine copy, preserved in custom morocco-backed drop-back box, [Yorke 19a], 4to, [Paris], Privately Printed , 1904. ⁂ A superb example, rare, in such condition and containing all of the printed inserts and prospectuses.
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![θ Crowley (Aleister) Oracles: The Biography of an Art, first edition, [one of 500 copies], …](https://portal-images.azureedge.net/auctions-2025/drewea1-10544/images/f4930095-ffa8-4418-abdc-b299011d53c4.jpg?h=175)
θ Crowley (Aleister) Oracles: The Biography of an Art. Unpublished Fragments of the Work of Aleister Crowley, with Explanatory Notes by R. P. Lester and the Author, first edition, [one of 500 copies], 14pp. advertisements at rear, with perforated order form at end (perforation splitting at head), original wrappers, lettered on spine, spine ends a little chipped, upper joint repaired, upper cover verso with tape repair to foot, light creasing, some splitting to head of lower joint, preserved in folding chemise and calf-backed slip-case, [Yorke 20], 8vo, Inverness, Society for the Propagation of Religious Truth, 1905. ⁂ Scarce work, written by Crowley at Boleskin House, Loch Ness. We can trace only 1 copy at auction the in last 40 years.
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1
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1,500 - 2,000 GBP
θ Crowley (Aleister) The Works... ,[edited by Ivor Back], 3 vol. in 1 (as issued)"Essay Competition" issue on India paper, signed presentation inscription from the author "With Mr. Aleister Crowley's compliments" to front free endpaper, occasional scattered spotting, original limp linen, light browning and surface soiling, light bumping to extremities, preserved in custom vellum-backed drop-back box, [Yorke 23], 8vo, Foyers, Society for the Propagation of Religious Truth, 1905-07. ⁂ When the standard edition of his Collected Works failed to sell in great numbers, in an attempt to boost sales Crowley offered a £100 prize for the best essay on his works . The winner was also allegedly the only entrant, a Captain J. F. C. Fuller who enthused over Crowley 's skill as a poet.
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131
Quantity
1
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Estimate
1,000 - 1,500 GBP
θ Crowley (Aleister) The Works..., [edited by Ivor Back], 3 vol., printed on India paper, portrait frontispieces, tissue-guards, original vellum, yapp edges, silk ties, some detached or lacking, very light toning to spine, a clean, bright set, preserved in folding chemise and custom green morocco-backed slip-case (spine a little darkened, some insect damage), [Yorke 23], small 4to, Foyers, Society for the Propagation of Religious Truth , 1905-07. ⁂ The rare deluxe issue of Crowley's works. Only a small number of the total edition were bound in vellum, which were clearly intended as a deluxe issue and often used by Crowley for presentation to friends. The silk ties are notoriously fragile, to find the majority present, as here, is unusual.
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![θ [Crowley (Aleister)],](https://portal-images.azureedge.net/auctions-2025/drewea1-10544/images/d70adf68-6d57-457b-9b37-b299011d3523.jpg?h=175)
θ [Crowley (Aleister)], " Rev. C. Verey". Clouds Without Water, first edition, printed on Van Gelder Zonen hand-made paper , original cream wrappers, light creasing and browning to spine, slight marking and surface-soiling to covers, a near-fine example, preserved in folding chemise and morocco-backed slip-case, [Yorke 29], small 4to, Privately Printed for circulation among ministers of religion, 1909. ⁂ The rare state "b", often used by Crowley for presentation to friends. Crowley also ordered 2 copies to be printed on vellum as well as a more common (though still scarce) state "c" (see next lot). Crowley here pretends to be the fictitious censorious clergyman Verey, ostensibly attacking the poetry contained in the work which in reality allowed the author to both publish poetry celebrating satanic worship and lampoon the disapproving reaction it would likely provoke.
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![θ [Crowley (Aleister)],](https://portal-images.azureedge.net/auctions-2025/drewea1-10544/images/27ed42a4-8f78-43d0-9c2a-b299011d7f0e.jpg?h=175)
133
θ [Crowley (Aleister)], " Rev. C. Verey ." Clouds Without Water, first edition, original printed pink wrappers, glue repair to foot of spine, minor chipping to spine tips, slight creasing to corners, an excellent copy, preserved in custom pink morocco drop-front box, [Yorke 29],16mo, Privately Printed for circulation among ministers of religion, 1909. ⁂ This copy state C, printed on machine-made paper and bound in salmon-pink wrappers (see also previous lot).
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134
θ Crowley (Aleister) The Winged Beetle, first edition, one of 300 copies on handmade paper, from an edition limited to 350, "Glossary of Obscure Terms" tipped onto p.228, light browning to endpapers, original boards, very light sunning to spine, slight bumping to spine tips and corners, t.e.g., others uncut, a near-fine copy, preserved in custom calf-backed drop-front box, [Yorke 33], 8vo, Privately Printed, 1910. ⁂ Rare, especially in such superb condition. The glossary of terms is used to reveal a hidden blasphemy in the third stanza of the dedication.
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θ Crowley (Aleister) Ambergris. A Selection from the Poems, first edition , photogravure portrait frontispiece, tipped in notice regarding "Mr. Crowley's Books" along with 2pp. advertisements at rear, origianl boards, fading to spine, slight bumping to spine tips, still an excellent example overall, preserved in custom cane-toad backed drop-back box, [Yorke 34], 8vo, Elkin Mathews, 1910. ⁂ A delicate volume, difficult to find in good condition.
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θ Crowley (Aleister) Moonchild. A Prologue, first edition, very light browning to endpapers, original green cloth lettered in gilt, slight bumping to spine tips and corners, dust-jacket by Beresford Egant, light fading and toning to spine, spine ends and corners a little chipped, neat and professional strengthening tape repairs to spine tips and corners verso, light surface soiling to lower panel, light creasing to head, an excellent example, preserved in custom morocco-backed drop-back box, [Yorke 51], 8vo, Mandrake Press, 1929. ⁂ A lovely example of this key Crowley title in the superb Beresford Egan dust-jacket.
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137
θ Crowley (Aleister) The Spirit of Solitude... The Confessions , 2 vol., first edition, [one of 800 copies], photogravure frontispieces (offset onto titles), plates and illustrations, original white pictorial cloth, spines a little dulled, light soiling, t.e.g., [Yorke 53], 4to, Mandrake Press, 1929. ⁂ Crowley's autobiography, originally envisaged a six-volume work (with a seventh volume available to subscribers only).
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![θ Crowley (Aleister) The Banned Lecture: Gilles de Rais, first edition, P.R. Stephenson, [1930]](https://portal-images.azureedge.net/auctions-2025/drewea1-10544/images/9004e460-07a1-443a-95dc-b299011da7a8.jpg?h=175)
θ Crowley (Aleister) The Banned Lecture: Gilles de Rais, first edition, original stapled printed wrappers, small rust-marks around staples, else fine, preserve in custom morocco-backed drop-back box, [Yorke 94], small 8vo, P.R. Stephenson , [1930]. ⁂ A rare piece of Crowley ephemera. Crowley had been due to lecture the Oxford University Poetry Society on the fifteenth century magician Gilles de Rais, only for it to be cancelled at the last minute, likely due to the controversy Crowley frequently generated in the press. Crowley swiftly had 1,000 copies of the present work printed and distributed on the streets of Oxford though few appear to have survived.
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139
θ Crowley (Aleister) Thumbs Up!, one of 100 copies signed by the author , tipped in frontispiece, errata slip tipped onto title page, original stitched printed wrappers, very light marginal toning, a fine copy, preserved in folding chemise and slip-case, [Yorke 42a], 4to, Published by the O. T. O. , 1941. ⁂ A superb example of this scarce limited edition.
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140
Quantity
1
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Estimate
1,500 - 2,000 GBP
θ Noulhac (Henri, binder ).- Baudelaire (Charles) Les Fleurs du Mal , number 61 of 115 copies , this copy for M. Eugène-Amédée Jacob, portrait, colour plates and illustrations by Armand Rassenfosse, some etchings or aquatints, with 15 additional etchings by other artists illustrating the work at end, bound in crushed reddish-brown goatskin, by Noulhac , covers with multi-rule border of strip of onlaid brown goatskin within several double or triple gilt fillets, spine titled in gilt with compartments similarly outlined and five raised bands, patterned silk doublures and linings, doublures framed with inlaid strips of dark brown goatskin and flowers of pink, purple and red at corners, signed "Noulhac 1918" at foot of front turn-in, original printed "snakeskin" wrappers bound in, g.e., very lightly rubbed at edges and corners, 4to (binding c.275 x 210mm.), Paris, pour Les Cents Bibliophile s, 1899.
⁂ The first illustrated edition of Les Fleurs du Mal.
Henri Noulhac (1866-1931), "A superlative craftsman, Noulhac specialized initially in plain leather bindings (reliures jansénistes) and copies of 18th-century bindings. By 1900 he had begun to incorporate modest floral emblems into the dentilled fillet borders on his covers. Noulhac never attempted to create a reputation for himself as a book designer per se, though he did achieve respect as an instructor, numbering Rose Adler and Madeleine Gras among his students". Duncan. Art Nouveau and Art Deco Bookbinding , p.150.
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141
θ Harris (Frank) M ontes the Matador, first edition, presentation inscription "To Bernard Shaw, one of the choice & master spirits of this age, from his friend, the author. Dec. 1900" to half-title, some cracking to lower hinge but holding firm, slight spotting to endpapers, original green cloth, light sunning to spine slight fraying to spine tips and corners, preserved in custom green morocco-backed drop-back with gilt lettering in imitation of spine, 8vo, Grant Richards, 1900. ⁂ A superb association copy, Harris and Bernard Shaw were close friends and Harris had done much to assist Shaw early in his career. Harris' biography of Shaw, based in large part on their friendship and correspondence, was published posthumously in 1931.
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142
Quantity
1
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Estimate
1,000 - 1,500 GBP
θ Harris (Frank) The Women of Shakespeare, first American edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "To Charlie Chaplin, great artist, king friend from the author, Frank Harris. 57 Fifth Avenue. 1920. New York City" with longer inscription below highlighting aspects of the work to front free endpaper, some cracking to gutter but firm, occasional corner creasing, original cloth, slight browning to spine, small mark to upper cover, light rubbing and slight bumping to spine tips and corners, small mark to upper cover, preserved in custom green morocco drop-back box, 8vo, New York, 1912. ⁂ An excellent association copy, Harris and Chaplin were friends and Chaplin a noted collector of the author's works . The two men had hoped to collaborate in adapting some of Harris' works though this appears never to have progressed very far. Harris wrote two books on Shakespeare and suggested these to Chaplin as possible subjects for a film in a letter dated 28th March 1928, it may be that the present inscription was another attempt to interest Chaplin in an adaptation.
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![Jean-Louis Forain (1852-1931) , Le modèle, pencil, [c. 1900]](https://portal-images.azureedge.net/auctions-2025/drewea1-10544/images/4217f6c7-1f05-46a1-84ef-b299011d9cff.jpg?h=175)
Jean-Louis Forain (1852-1931) Le modèle Pencil on paper, signed in the lower right corner, image 290 x 260 mm (11 3/8 x 10 1/4 in), under glass, faint toning from previous mount visible within the image, framed , [ circa 1900] Provenance: Sir Edward Haywood (1903-1983); who gifted the artwork to Barry Humphries.
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![Louis Émile Anquetin (1861-1932), Sleeping Nymph, black chalk, [c.1900]](https://portal-images.azureedge.net/auctions-2025/drewea1-10544/images/f49bb36a-f4d4-482b-9759-b299011d40cb.jpg?h=175)
Louis Émile Anquetin (1861-1932) Sleeping Nymph Black chalk, stumping, signed in the lower right corner, image 210 x 405 mm (8 1/4 x 15 2/3 in), under glass, framed [ circa 1900 or slightly later] Provenance: Ernest Brown & Phillips, The Leicester Galleries, London The Morris Gallery
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1,500 - 2,000 GBP
Emilie Mediz-Pelikan (1861-1908) Moonlit glacier Coloured chalks, signed and dated ‘E. Pelikan/ 20 July 1901’ in the lower right corner, 565 x 420 mm (22 1/8 x 16 1/2 in), under glass, framed, 1901 Provenance: Abbott & Holder, London; where acquired by Barry Humphries ⁂ A Symbolist influenced landscape by the Austrian woman artist, Mediz-Pelikan. While a significant portion of her artwork was held by the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, her husband blocked any public exhibitions during his lifetime. Following his passing, her paintings were transferred to the control of the East German government, where they faded into obscurity and were largely neglected. It is only in the 21st century that her career has begun to be rediscovered.
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![Filippo Antonio Cifariello (1864-1936), Corvo!, bronze with dark patina, [c. 1900]](https://portal-images.azureedge.net/auctions-2025/drewea1-10544/images/8fd65cb7-b431-45ca-a4b2-b299011daf23.jpg?h=175)
Quantity
1
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Estimate
1,500 - 2,000 GBP
Filippo Antonio Cifariello (1864-1936) Corvo! Bronze with dark patina, signed with monogram at end, with foundry inscription FOND-LAGANA/ NAPOLI' AND inscribed with title to side, 195 x 400 x 150 mm (7 5/8 x 15 ¾ x 5 7/8 in) , [ circa 1900] ⁂ From the mantelpiece of Barry Humphries' library, placed below Hanns Pellar's conversation piece Libelle, from 1910 . The title of the work suggests an identification of the sitter being that of the English writer, artist and eccentric, Frederick William Rolfe, better known as Baron Corvo.
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147
Quantity
1
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Estimate
3,000 - 4,000 GBP
θ Rodin (Auguste).- Mirbeau (Octave) Le Jardin des Supplices , one of 30 copies on chine with an additional suite of plain plates , from an edition limited to 200, 20 lithograph plates by Auguste Rodin signed by the artist on the stone, all but two colour, each bound with additional plain plate and captioned tissue guard, light foxing to a couple of plates, with 2 pencil preparatory drawings by the binder mounted on sheet and bound in at end (one marked with tool numbers), bound in dark purple goatskin, by Charles Lanoë , spine titled in gilt with five raised bands, red goatskin doublures with illustration from title-page tooled in blind to centre, signed at foot of front turn-in, dark red silk moiré linings, marbled flyleaves, original printed wrappers bound in, g.e., preserved in half dark purple goatskin chemise (spine a little rubbed and faded) and board slip-case (very slightly rubbed at edges), [Artist & the Book 261; Artist & the Book in France p.341; Manet to Hockney 19], 4to (binding c.330 x 250mm.), Paris, Ambroise Vollard , 1902. ⁂ Fine copy of Mirbeau's erotic novel, the only work to contain original plates by Rodin .
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θ Lucian, of Samosata . Dialogues des Courtisanes , translated by Jules de Marthold, number 22 of 25 copies on Japon impérial with an additional suite in black on chine , from an edition limited to 500, colour lithograph plates and illustrations by Émile Berchmans, additional suite bound in at end (a little foxed), bound in orange morocco, by Catherine, spine titled in gilt, pink silk moiré doublures and linings, original pictorial wrappers bound in, g.e., board slip-case, 4to, Pari s, 1902.
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Estimate
1,000 - 1,500 GBP
θ Caruchet (Henri).- Richepin (Jean) Les Litanies de la Mer , number 71 of 100 copies on Japon printed on rectos only, decorative title and 53 charming pictorial Art Nouveau illustrations by Henri Caruchet, all finely hand-coloured and many heightened with silver or gold , bound in half black morocco, by P[etrus] Ruban, spine titled in gold with five raised bands, original printed wrappers with hand-coloured vignettes bound in, t.e.g., others uncut, very slightly rubbed at edges, 4to, Paris , 1903.
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1
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Estimate
4,000 - 6,000 GBP
Pickthall (Marmaduke) Autograph manuscript for his novel "Saïd the Fisherman", 2 parts in 5, c.450 pages in brown ink on ruled paper, recto only, numerous corrections, alterations and substantial deletions, label of James B. Pinker, Artistic and Literary Agent to p. 2, light soiling to titles, marginal creasing and some fraying, largely to early or later ff., sewn at upper left corner with some leaves detached or becoming so, preserved in 2 folding chemises and custom morocco-backed drop-back box with spine gilt in compartments, 4to, [c.l903]. ⁂ The working manuscript of Pickthall's most celebrated novel, a picaresque tale of a corrupt but endearing Syrian peasant, admired by the likes of E.M. Forster and D.H. Lawrence. Pickthall remains an important figure in Western Islam, having converted to the faith in 1917. Accompanying the book is an autograph letter from a friend of the Pickthall family recollecting Marmaduke and his brother along with a typed letter from Peter Clark regarding the loan of the present manuscript for a forthcoming new edition of the work. Provenance: Sold, Sotheby's, 21 June 1990, lot 436.
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θ Pickthall (Marmaduke) Saïd the Fisherman, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author "I hereby certify that one A.J. Dawson discovered this humble work and set it before the public in a good light, thereby securing for it what renown it could achieve" , some scattered spotting, bookplate of A.J. Dawson to front pastedown, original cloth, light bumping to spine tips and corners, extremities a little rubbed, housed in orange chemise and morocco-backed slip-case, 8vo, 1903. ⁂ A good association copy of Pickthall's most celebrated work, inscribed to fellow novelist and traveller Alec John Dawson (1872-1951)
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θ Pickthall (Marmaduke) The Myopes, first edition, John Betjeman's copy with a charming pencil drawing of an English country church facing title, front free endpaper trimmed at head, cracking to lower joint, original cloth, slight toning to spine, spine ends and corners a little bumped with short nicks to spine ends, but a near-fine copy generally, preserved in folding chemise and morocco-backed slip-case, 8vo, 1907.
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Estimate
1,200 - 1,800 GBP
θ James (M.R.) Ghost Stories Of An Antiquary, first edition , frontispiece and 3 plates by James McBride, without advertisements, some very light scattered spotting, very light browning to endpapers, armorial bookplate to front pastedown, original buckram, yapp edges, very light toning and faint splash mark to spine, a near-fine example, [Currey p.261; Lovecraft, Supernatural Horror in Literature, 1973, pp.100-105; Tymn 3-125], 8vo, 1904. ⁂ A superb copy of M.R. James ' first collection of ghost stories.
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θ James (M.R.) More Ghost Stories of an Antiquary, first edition, occasional light foxing, very light browning and contemporary ink ownership inscription to endpapers, original pictorial cloth, slight toning to spine, light rubbing to joints, spine tips and corners, minor fraying to head of spine, some minor marking to covers, a sharp and excellent example overall, [Currey p.261; Tymn 3-126], 8vo, 1911.
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θ James (M.R.) The Wailing Well, one of 150 copies, from an edition limited to 157, woodcut to title, A.L.s. from the author tipped in at front, book labels of David and Patricia Cory to front and rear pastedowns, original buckram, slight sunning to spine, else fine, [Currey 261 (B)], 4to, Stanford Dingley, The Mill House Press, 1928.
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θ James (M.R.) The Collected Ghost Stories, first edition , original black cloth lettered in gilt, slight rubbing to spine tips and corners else fine, dust-jacket, lower panel with blurb laid down (with creasing to top corner), browning to spine, spine ends and corners chipped, a few short nicks to fore-edges and head and foot of panels, extremities rubbed, a very good copy, [Currey p.261; Tymn 3-124], 8vo, 1931. ⁂ Scarce in the lively dust-jacket, designed by John Case.
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![Théophile Alexandre Steinlen (1859–1923) , Self-portrait, black chalk with pencil, [c. 1905]](https://portal-images.azureedge.net/auctions-2025/drewea1-10544/images/4da335e7-7710-43d7-ac69-b299011d38c6.jpg?h=175)
Théophile Alexandre Steinlen (1859–1923) Self-portrait Black chalk with pencil, signed with stamped signature in the lower left corner, image 160 x 107 mm (6 1/4 x 4 1/8 in), minor rubbing, framed, [ circa 1905] Provenance: Jerrold Morris Gallery, Toronto; Where acquired by Barry Humphries in 2005 [according to inscription on frame] ⁂ The present self-portrait, with the artist presumably in his studio turned slightly to the right, shares close similarities with Steinlein's lithographed self-portrait, printed in 1905.
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Estimate
1,500 - 2,000 GBP
James (Henry) Autograph Letter signed from the author to Aline Harland , 12pp. recto and verso in black ink on letter Reform Club, Pall Mall, SW1 letterhead, 8vo, 22 October, 1905, folds, preserved in folding chemise and custom morocco-backed drop-back box.
⁂ A long and excellent letter from James to the wife of his friend, and founding editor of The Yellow Book, Henry Harland.
At this time Aline Harland was caring for her husband who had been suffering for years from tuberculosis, to which he would succumb on 20th December, 1905. In the letter James displays an unusual level of emotion on learning of the Harland's departure for Italy: " The answer came back from the house itself that you had just left England - at which, in spite of missing you I almost wept with relief - so sovereign a right step had I felt it yet so cruelly difficult". He also discusses his own affairs " I am in town again by reason of some work on Lamb House.. I plug away at my American book [The American Scene, 1907] & find it very difficult... I go tonight to see the Gosses" and includes a waspish comment about Henry Irving " [he] has been buried in the Abbey - to my stupefaction but to that apparently of no ones else ."
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1,000 - 1,500 GBP
θ Machen (Arthur) The House of Souls, first edition, author's copy with signed presentation inscription from him to Lytton Armstrong (John Gawsworth) on title with date "Jan 21 '33" in Gawsworth's hand below, presentation inscription to frontispiece recto "This Shiel-Machen copy - for Rosalind & Barry with the unutterable affection of John Gawsworth" to frontispiece recto, occasional spotting and marking, lacking front and rear free endpapers, joint bookplate of M.P. Shiel and John Gawsworth to front pastedown, later red cloth, spine darkened, fraying to spine tips and corners, rubbed, preserved in custom drop-back box, 8vo, E. Grant Richards, 1906. ⁂ The Machen-Shiel-Gawsworth copy of this collection of short stories, bringing together The Great God Pan and The Three Imposters with three other stories.
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1,000 - 1,500 GBP
Machen (Arthur) Autograph manuscript essay "Introduction" [On Paganism], 14pp., recto only, in black ink and pencil on ruled paper, signed by the author on first page, numerous corrections and revisions, vertical fold with some splitting to ends, unbound, [1924]; with mimeograph proof sheets, unbound sheets for the first edition of Mitchell S. Buck's "Afterglow" (for which this work formed the introduction), an envelope addressed in the author's hand to Buck (extremities rather worn), and the first English edition of Machen's "On Paganism", one of 200 copies, Tartarus Press, 1998, all housed together in custom folding chemises and morocco-backed slip-case, 8vo . ⁂ " All words are more or less misconstrued and misunderstood; none more grievously than the word 'Paganism'." Mitchell S. Buck (1887-1959) was an American poet and classical scholar. The present essay was published as an introduction to his prose work Afterglow in 1924 before being given a new title of "On Paganism" and published in the UK by the Tartarus Press in 1998.
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161
Machen (Arthur) Ornaments in Jade , typescript, 47pp., signed presentation inscription from the author "for F[ytton] A[rmstrong]" (John Gawsworth) to upper wrapper (now detached), " Torture" signed by the author at head and with several editorial corrections, pencil note by Gawsworth "suppressed for England" to head of "The Idealist", with two additional ?proof pages for "The Rose Garden" with correction in the author's hand, all bound together with split pin butterfly clip to upper corner, slight browning, light surface creasing, preserved in custom chemise and slip-case, 4to, [1930s]. ⁂ A presentation copy of this short story collection, likely gifted by Machen to Gawsworth as part of the latter's attempt to publish the collection in the UK. The pages are largely carbon copies except for the story "Torture" which appears to be a working draft . Gawsworth has dated the upper wrapper "Amersham 16/xi/35" and written a longer note that provides some context: "Typed versions of the stories contained in "Ornaments in Jade" prepared for an English Edition. No English Edition was printed, however, but all the stories (excepting 'The Idealist', considered obscene) were printed in 'The Cosy Room'." The Cosy Room was a collection of Machen's stories curated by Gawsworth and published in 1936.
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![θ [Flecker (James Elroy)] The Best Man, first edition, [Oxford], [Holywell Press], 1906](https://portal-images.azureedge.net/auctions-2025/drewea1-10544/images/e12c1482-561e-48b2-917e-b299011d6fc1.jpg?h=175)
θ [Flecker (James Elroy)] The Best Man, first edition , [illustrations by John Davidson Beazley], some light creasing and scattered spotting, original pictorial wrappers, ink ownership inscription to head of upper wrappers, splitting to spine, chipped to spine ends, light creasing, some slight fraying to extremities, housed in folding chemise with bookplate of Oliver Brett and H. Bradley Martin to inside cover, 4to, [Oxford], [Holywell Press], 1906. ⁂ The Bradley Martin copy of the author's rare first book, published while he was a student at Oxford. We can trace only one other example at auction.
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![Jules Pascin (1885-1930) , Deux femmes: un dessin pour la revue ‘Simpliccimus’, pencil, [c.1906]](https://portal-images.azureedge.net/auctions-2025/drewea1-10544/images/294b761e-a91c-4d7e-91f6-b299011d02ff.jpg?h=175)
163
Jules Pascin (1885-1930) "Die glückliche braut", or the happy bride, an original illustration for the publication ‘Simpliccimus’ Pencil, 18 x 16.5 cm (7 ¼ x 6 ½ in), under glass, some minor rubbing, framed, [ circa 1906] Provenance: Albert Langen, Germany [Simpliccimus labels on reverse with manuscript text in German] Illustrated: Simpliccimus, no. 34, 19th November, 1906, illus. p. 537 ⁂ An original design for Albert Langen's weekly German satirical magazine. Pascin's drawings were featured numerous times within the magazine throughout the early 20th century.
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Estimate
1,500 - 2,000 GBP
θ Grellet (Georges).- Louÿs (Pierre) Les Chansons de Bilitis , hors commerce copy from an edition limited to 325, this copy inscribed "H.C. Exemplaire Unique illustré par M.Grellet ", printed in red and black, with 31 original signed watercolours by Georges Grellet (cover, 7 plates and 23 illustrations to text), bound in red straight-grain goatskin, by F.Michon, spine titled in gilt with central onlaid pictorial compartment of naked woman in tan and green goatskin with four raised bands, inner gilt dentelles with small black goatskin onlays, signed at foot of front turn-in, original upper wrapper (with watercolour illustration) bound in, preserved in board slip-case, 4to (binding c.270 x 210mm.), Paris , 1906. ⁂ Attractive work with original illustrations by the French artist Georges Grellet (1869-1959). The work was originally illustrated with etchings by Chessa after Raphaël Collin; this copy was obviously obtained by Grellet before the illustrations were printed.
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θ Dumont-Wilden (L.) Fernand Khnopff , number 35 of 50 large paper copies on Japon with an original signed drypoint 'Les Grelots' , tipped-in portrait and plates, captioned tissue guards (some a little spotted), illustrations, old continental shelf-label to front free endpaper, flyleaves browned, contemporary floral-patterned cloth, a little rubbed and marked, spine and edges faded, embossed paper endpapers, top edge stained red (occasionally visible at head of leaves), 4to, Brussels , 1907. ⁂ Monograph of this Belgian Symbolist artist, a member of Le Group des XX and influence on Gustave Klimt.
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θ Barbey d'Aurevilly (J.) Le Rideau cramoisi , number 37 of 125 copies on Rives, 15 colour etched plates and illustrations by Armand Rassenfosse, tissue guards (a little offset), prospectus at end, original printed wrappers with etched illustration of the Devil to upper cover, uncut, glassine wrapper, preserved in modern board folder with morocco label by Devauchelle and board slip-case, 4to, Brussels , 1907.
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θ Geiger (Willi) Das Gemeinsame Ziel und Anderes : Ein Zyklus Erotischer Zeichnungen...mit Einleitenden Worten aus der 'Todtenmesse' von Stan. Przybyszewski, out-of-series copy from an edition limited to 100 , signed by the artist on front free endpaper, 5 plates by Geiger printed on Japon, 5 printed in red & black, all with captioned leaf with quotation, original thick textured wrappers printed in gold and fastened with cord, very slightly creased at edges, preserved in modern cloth folder and pigskin-backed pastepaper slip-case, spine titled in gilt (very slightly rubbed at edges), oblong 4to, [?Munich] , 1907. ⁂ Grotesque and sexually explicit plates created in Rome in 1905.
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168
θ Ehmcke (Fritz Helmuth).- Goethe (Johann Wolfgang von) Faust , number 41 of 1000 copies on hand-made paper, deluxe edition with title and initials supplied by hand in gold , with 3 double-page woodcut spreads comprising two frontispieces, two titles and colophon within decorative borders by F.H.Ehmcke, gothic letter, "Faust" on both titles and decorative initials in raised gold leaf over gesso, some small but imperceptible cracks, with decorative leaf about the special edition loosely inserted, original vellum, gilt, with clasps, by H.Fikentscher, a little soiled, small bump to upper cover, large 8vo, Jena, printed by Drugulin of Leipzig for Eugen Diderich s, 1909. ⁂ Magnificent Art Nouveau work designed and illustrated by Ehmcke. Rare in this deluxe state, of which probably no more than 50 copies were issued.
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169
Quantity
1
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Estimate
2,000 - 3,000 GBP
θ Bierce (Ambrose) Collected Works , 12 vol., Author's edition , number 1 of 25 sets signed by the author for presentation , out of an edition limited to 250, portrait frontispiece, vol. 1 with several newspaper clippings laid onto endpapers with resultant browning, contemporary green half morocco, spines gilt, non-uniform sunning to spines, rubbing to spine ends, corners, upper and lower edges, t.e.g., 8vo, New York & Washington, Neale Publishing Company, 1909-11.
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1,000 - 2,000 GBP
λ Augustus Edwin John (1878–1961) Study of a Piedmontese gypsy encampment, with traditional horse-drawn vardo behind Black chalk, pencil, brown wash, signed in the lower right corner, indistinctly inscribed in the upper centre [?]'Vavertemengri', sheet 355 x 255 mm (14 x 10 in), under glass, minor surface dirt and some light toning in places, framed, [ circa 1909] ⁂ In 1906 John went to Normandy with Wyndham Lewis where they are said to have fallen in with a large band of Piedmontese gypsies. The present drawing appears to closely relate to John's lithograph titled 'Wandering Sinnte', which the artist published in 1909. For a larger more finished chalk drawing, and much closer to the final lithograph, see the Manchester Art Gallery's Study for Wandering Sinnte, 1909.
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1,500 - 2,000 GBP
λ Augustus Edwin John (1878-1961) Head study of Ronald Firbank (1886-1926) Pencil, signed in the upper right corner, sheet 175 x 125 mm (6 7/8 x 4 7/8 in), under glass, minor surface dirt and light stains, some handling creases visible, framed , [ circa 1915] Provenance: Miriam Benkowitz (author of the biography and bibliography of Firbank) ⁂ Miriam Benkovitz wrote in her biography of Firbank that he was 'very much concerned with his appearance', and had hoped to capture his youth through the portraits produced by his friends and associates. [Miriam Benkovitz, Ronald Firbank. A Biography . New York: Alfred A, Knopf, 1969, pp. 112-113] 'It is a curious fact that the numerous extant portraits of Firbank bear almost no resemblance to each other, seeming indeed, to depict a series of entirely disparate persons. During his life he was drawn or painted by Charles Shannon, Augustus John, Wyndham Lewis, Alvara Guevara and probably (for he was fond of sitting for his portrait) by other artists as well; yet it remains extraordinarily difficult to form an exact mental picture of his features.' [Jocelyn Brooke, Ronald Firbank. London, Arthur Barker Ltd., 1951, p. 34.]
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172
Charles Haslewood Shannon (1863-1937) Portrait of Ronald Firbank (1886-1926) Coloured chalks, on prepared paper, signed with initials ‘CS’ in the lower right corner, 255 x 195 mm (10 1/8 x 7 5/8 in), under glass, framed , [c. 1909] Provenance: Probably Ronald Firbank (1886-1926) Illustrated: Dust jacket of Ronald Firbank's, Concerning the Eccentricities of Cardinal Pirelli, published by Grant Richards, 1926 ⁂ Paul van Capelleveen notes that 'no letters or accounts of the meeting between [Shannon] and [Firbank] have survived, and we must make do with second or third-hand testimony... [Probably the first time they met was when] Oscar Wilde's son, Vyvyan Holland, came of age in November 1907 and Robert Ross organised a dinner party for him. Among the twelve guests were Ronald Firbank, Charles Ricketts and Charles Shannon. It was probably the first time Shannon and Firbank had met; the former came from the artistic circles around Ross, the latter from Holland's Cambridge student life.'
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![Frans Stamkart (1874-1947) , Leda and the Swan, black and white chalks, [c.1910]](https://portal-images.azureedge.net/auctions-2025/drewea1-10544/images/0a749029-1d07-4f05-8f0b-b299011d915d.jpg?h=175)
Quantity
1
Max bid
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Estimate
1,000 - 1,500 GBP
Frans Stamkart (1874-1947) Leda and the Swan Black and white chalks, signed with [?] monogram and inscribed 'Leda' in the lower right corner, 985 x 705 mm (38 3/4 x 27 3/4 in), under glass, framed by Simon Cooper, [ probably circa 1910s] ⁂ Stamkart is a little known Dutch artist working in Amsterdam in the early 20th century, producing dream like imagery with heavy dark chalks to delineate floating figures in space. A similar study, Salome, is held in the Rijksmuseum and dated circa 1910-1915 [see acc. no. RP-T-2019-75].
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174
Heinrich Lefler (1863-1919) Berthold Schwarz, or Death Meeting the Alchemist Watercolour and bodycolour, signed lower left, sheet 235 x 215 mm (9 1/4 x 8 1/2 in), under glass, horizontal scratch visible across the image, some signs of retouching, framed, [ circa 1910s] Provenance: Christie's, London, 19th June 1986, lot 533 ⁂ Berthold Schwarz, also known as Berthold the Black and der Schwartzer , was a legendary German (or in some accounts Danish or Greek) alchemist of the late 14th century, credited with the invention of gunpowder by 15th- through 19th-century European literature.
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![[Voigt (Hans Henning, Baron von)],](https://portal-images.azureedge.net/auctions-2025/drewea1-10544/images/3475258e-c971-4358-8d6e-b299011d76d8.jpg?h=175)
175
Quantity
1
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Estimate
2,000 - 3,000 GBP
[Voight (Hans Henning, Baron von )], "Alastair". Study of Yvette Guilbert , pen and ink, india ink wash, red wash, over pencil under-drawing, on light buff coloured laid paper without watermark, inscribed in the lower right 'Dear Mrs Whitney - Yvette Guilbert,/ a very low bow, and my admiration to you - for an act of graciousness./ Carl Van Vechten/ Dec. 17 -19[31]', presented in morocco-lined folder with cut early ink inscription "Alastair - Yvette Gilbert" inlaid into facing window within a morocco-backed drop-back box with feather spray reminiscent of the artist's work to covers, 4to, [ circa 1910s or slightly later]. Provenance: Carl van Vechten (American artists and photographer, 1880-1964); Gifted to Mrs. Whitney, 1931 ⁂ Hans Henning Voight (1887-1969), known by his self-created pseudonym " Alastair ," was an artist of mysterious origins, and limited classical training. Fifteen years younger than Aubrey Beardsley, Alastair was highly influenced by Beardsley and other artists of his circle. A scarce example of his fine penwork.
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![[Voigt (Hans Henning Otto Harry Baron von)],](https://portal-images.azureedge.net/auctions-2025/drewea1-10544/images/43750bbb-bd95-4f62-9125-b299011da456.jpg?h=175)
176
Quantity
1
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Estimate
2,000 - 3,000 GBP
[Voigt (Hans Henning Otto Harry Baron von )], "Alastair". 22 Autograph Letters on 39 pages, 1 Autograph Note and 29 telegrams to his friend Richard Thoma , variously signed "Alastair", "Hanael" or "H.", letters mostly in purple ink, v.s., Paris, Versaille, Houdemont and Zurich, [c.1927-32], folds, housed in purple cloth folder and chemise within purple morocco-backed slip-case . ⁂ " After you went away the other night I felt sad. I wanted you to stay but did not dare to ask." An excellent and extensive correspondence from the artist to his sometime lover Richard Thoma. The letters are filled with the artist's eccentric charm, at times hallucinatory in character (" In the mornings my bones sound like castagnettes and mushrooms are beginning to grow in the folds of my pyjamas. Even the cat has swollen eyes. "), they include discussion of other writers and artists, such as Proust, Cocteau and Harry Crosby, as well as apparent discussion of gay liaisons "I only rushed away for a couple of hours to meet somebody at midnight under the blue elm. My happenings are sad to say often in this bad taste," The most significant collection of Alastair correspondence to be offered at auction in decades. We can trace only 5 other Alastair letters at auction in the last 50 years.
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177
Quantity
1
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2,000 - 3,000 GBP
θ Nesbit (E.) Fear, first edition, the dedication copy with signed presentation inscription from the author "To Paul Bland, to whom this book was dedicated and is dedicated, this copy on his birthday, from E. Nesbit, his mother, who wrote the book. June 28. 1910" to front free endpaper, 2pp. advertisements at front, 2pp. advertisements and 32pp. publisher's catalogue at rear, light browning to endpapers, original blue cloth lettered in gilt, light toning to spine, spine ends and corners a little bumped and frayed, some splitting and fraying to upper joint, some light marking, extremities rubbed, preserved in custom black morocco drop-back box with title lettered in red on spine, [Tymn 3-181], 8vo, Stanley Paul & Co., 1910. ⁂ The dedication copy of Nesbit's most celebrated collection of supernatural stories. Includes one of her most adapted stories, "Man-Size in Marble". Her son Paul was also the dedicatee of The Railway Children.
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Eric Herald Macbeth Robertson (1887-1941) Three Figures Pencil, signed and dated ‘January 1911’ in the lower left corner, 180 x 260 mm (7 x 10 ¼ in), framed, 1911 Provenance: The Piccadilly Gallery, London, 1972 Anonymous sale; Christies, London, 29th July 1988, lot 245 ⁂ Robertson was one of the most gifted students of his generation. Born in Dumfries, he moved to Edinburgh at the turn of the 20th century and befriended the Symbolist painter, John Duncan, who became an important influence on his work. He was also inspired by the Pre-Raphaelites and the French Symbolist painter Gustave Moreau (1826–1898).
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θ Custance (Olive) The Inn of Dreams, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author (as Olive Douglas) to Jack Scott-Gatty to front free endpaper, 2pp. advertisements at rear, very light browning to endpapers, original cloth-backed boards, paper label to spine, slight browning to spine, slight bumping to spine tips and corners, housed in custom morocco-backed drop-back box, 8vo, 1911. ⁂ Final published collection of poetry by Custance, wife of Alfred Lord Douglas. Rare inscribed.
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θ Blackwood (Algernon) Pan's Garden. A Volume of Nature Stories, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to George A. Van Nosdall to frontispiece recto, frontispiece and illustrations by W. Graham Robertson, 12pp. advertisements, some very light edge-spotting and light browning to endpapers, original pictorial cloth, very slight fading to spine, light rubbing and slight bumping to spine tips and corners, slight rubbing to extremities, an excellent copy, custom morocco-backed slip-case, [Tymn 3-35], 8vo , 1912.
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You cannot Buy it now until you are approved to bid.
Please contact the auctioneer
Confirming your bid is a legally binding obligation to purchase and pay for the lot should your bid be successful.